Chapter 107
Chapter 107:
“After Camille is disgraced. After Victoria’s empire falls.” His eyes studied her face. “After you’ve won.”
Rose considered the question. Before meeting Herod, her vision had extended only to Camille’s destruction. But working with him had awakened something new in her—ambition beyond mere revenge.
“I haven’t decided,” she admitted. “What about you? After you buy Kane Industries for nothing, what then?”
“I rebuild it. Rebrand it. Turn it into something greater than Victoria ever imagined.” He leaned against the desk, facing her. “But businesses are only as strong as the people who run them.”
The implication hung in the air between them. Rose set her glass down beside his, suddenly aware of how close they stood, how alone they were in the vast penthouse with the storm raging outside.
“Are you offering me a job, Herod?” she asked, her voice deliberately light.
“I’m suggesting a partnership.” His eyes darkened. “We work well together, Rose. We understand each other in ways few people could. We both know what it means to be overlooked, underestimated, denied what’s rightfully ours.” Lightning flashed again, briefly illuminating the room in harsh white light. In that flash, Rose saw something in Herod’s face—hunger, yes, but also something that looked almost like vulnerability.
“A business partnership?” she asked, stepping closer.
“To start.” His voice dropped lower. “Though I find myself wondering if it might become something more.”
The confession surprised her. In their weeks of planning, Herod had been all cold calculation and strategic thinking. This hint of personal interest was unexpected, and strangely thrilling.
“Something more?” she echoed, testing the words. “Like what?”
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Instead of answering, Herod reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. The gesture was tentative, almost gentle, at odds with the ruthless businessman she’d come to know.
“I didn’t plan for this,” he said quietly. “When I agreed to help you destroy Camille Kane, I saw it as a means to my own revenge against Victoria. Nothing more.”
“And now?” Rose asked, her heart beating faster.
“Now I find myself thinking about you. Not just about our plan. About you.” His fingers lingered at her jawline. “About your mind. Your determination. Your willingness to do whatever it takes to get what you want.”
Rose had manipulated men all her life. Stefan had been easy—weak, easily swayed by flattery and attention. But Herod was different. Sharper. More dangerous.
And infinitely more interesting.
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